Head of AI FDE (Forward Deployed Engineering) - APJ

Databricks Inc.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in Singapore seeks an AI Forward Deployed Engineering Team Leader to drive AI/ML transformation and lead a high-performing team. You will manage customer relationships, shape strategic initiatives, and develop scalable processes. Ideal candidates should have extensive experience in leading data science teams and technical engagements. This role requires strong cross-functional collaboration skills and knowledge of cloud environments, particularly AWS, Azure, or GCP. The position offers the opportunity to impact significant AI projects with top clients.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience managing and building high-performing data science teams.
• Ability to scope and manage technical engagements in enterprise environments.
• Deep technical expertise in machine learning and data science.

Responsibilities

• Lead and scale the AI/ML professional services team.
• Develop executive relationships with APJ customers.
• Align strategies for strategic accounts with Field Engineering and Sales.

Skills

Team leadership

Technical expertise in ML and GenAI

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

The AI Forward Deployed Engineering (AI FDE) team is a highly specialized customer-facing AI team at Databricks. We deliver professional services (PS) engagements to help our customers build and productionize first of its kind AI applications with a focus on GenAI. We work cross-functionally to shape long-term strategic priorities and initiatives alongside AI/ML Product, Research, and Engineering.

We are looking for a world-class leader to lead and grow our APJ AI Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) team. In this role, you will lead customers on their AI/ML transformation with Databricks, push the boundaries of our product, recruit and develop top data scientists/machine learning engineers, and manage a portfolio of key APJ accounts. You will report directly to the APJ Professional Services Leader and dotted line to our AI FDE Global Leader. The ideal candidate would be located in Singapore and/or willing to relocate to Singapore. Candidates should expect to travel up to once a month.

The impact you will have:

• Lead and scale a world-class AI/ML professional services team, including hiring, mentoring, and building a team structure to support long-term growth and execution at scale
• Develop and expand executive relationships with APJ customers and partners (including VP+, CIO/CDO-level stakeholders), acting as a trusted advisor during complex technical engagements and AI transformations
• Align with Field Engineering and Sales Leaders to define joint strategies for strategic accounts and ensure strong delivery coordination across functions
• Lead strategic AI PS initiatives, practice development, and standardized delivery processes; design scalable engagement models and reusable solutions for repeatability across the global team
• Shape cross-functional collaboration by influencing Product, R&D, and GTM—ensuring voice-of-customer insights and delivery learnings help inform the product roadmap and GTM strategy
• Own OKRs for AI-services led accounts, revenue, utilization, and public references
• Represent Databricks as a thought leader in AI/ML

What we look for:

• Extensive experience managing, hiring, and building a team of high-performing data scientists/ML engineers and leaders, with a track record of scaling organizations through developing scalable processes and cultivating leaders
• Ability to scope, guide, and sell technical engagements, manage escalations, and ensure successful delivery in enterprise environments
• Deep technical expertise in ML, GenAI, and data science, and curiosity to continue to stay up-to-date in this ever-changing field
• Experience leading teams building cutting-edge production ML solutions in cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
• Proven success developing strategy with senior executive stakeholders to define program-level goals, align technical vision, and build trust throughout complex enterprise engagements
• Demonstrated experience in cross-functional leadership roles, collaborating with Sales, Product, and GTM teams to drive business impact through AI/ML

Preferred:

• Experience in a customer-facing consulting or professional services leadership role
• Experience working with Databricks

About Databricks

Compliance

If access to export-controlled technology or source code is required for performance of job duties, it is within Employer's discretion whether to apply for a U.S. government license for such positions, and Employer may decline to proceed with an applicant on this basis alone.